Maritime workforce grant program

(a) Amendment Chapter 517 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 51708. Maritime workforce grant program (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible applicant The term eligible applicant means an entity that— (A) operates a program or performs activities leading to the recruitment, education, or training of future or current members of the maritime workforce; and (B) submits an application in such form as the Secretary may require. (2) Maritime workforce The term maritime workforce includes positions of employment requiring a license, certificate of registry, or merchant mariner’s document issued under part E of subtitle II of title 46, United States Code. (3) Rural area The term rural area has the meaning given the term in section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)), without regard to subparagraphs (B), (C), and (E) through (I) of paragraph (13) of that section. (4) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Transportation. (b) Program authorized The Secretary, acting through the Maritime Administrator, shall establish a program to provide grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible applicants for eligible activities described in subsection (c) that support maritime workforce development. (c) Eligible activities An eligible activity is an activity carried out by an eligible applicant— (1) to establish a new, or improve an existing, training program that teaches technical skills used in general seagoing operations and specific areas, such as deck or engineering, including the purchase of equipment for such programs; (2) to provide technical training or certification courses leading to maritime workforce credentialing, including any of the endorsements listed in section 10.109 of title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation; (3) to create and deliver a program designed to provide high school students with meaningful maritime education in order to teach the future maritime workforce; (4) to support the professional development of teachers using a curriculum of a program described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3); (5) to establish, or support existing, scholarships or apprenticeships for individuals pursuing employment in the maritime workforce; (6) to support outreach about careers in the maritime workforce to— (A) secondary and postsecondary school students; or (B) underrepresented communities, as defined by the Secretary, in the maritime workforce; or (7) to otherwise enhance the maritime workforce. (d) Grant application review In reviewing and selecting eligible applicants to receive grants under this section, the Secretary shall— (1) prior to selecting among competing applications, consult, as appropriate, with representatives of the maritime workforce; (2) ensure that the grants awarded under subsection (b) will allow participation from eligible applicants in rural, suburban, and urban areas; and (3) award not less than 25 percent of the grant funds available for each fiscal year to eligible applicants located in rural areas.. (b) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 51708 of title 46, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030. (c) Clerical amendment The analysis for chapter 517 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 51708. Maritime workforce grant program..